K. E. Herkenhoff

About

K. E. Herkenhoff is a leading planetary scientist whose work has fundamentally shaped our ability to see and understand the Martian surface at unprecedented scales. His primary research focuses on the design, calibration, and operation of advanced imaging systems for Mars rovers, with major contributions to the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) aboard NASA’s Curiosity rover. Herkenhoff’s most cited work, the 2012 MAHLI investigation paper (229 citations), details how this 2-megapixel color camera with a focusable macro lens enables scientists to study stratigraphy, grain-scale texture, and mineralogy of Martian rocks and soils. He also played a key role in the optical designs for the 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers and documented the long-term performance of their imaging systems. His meticulous calibration studies ensure that every image returned from Mars is scientifically reliable. With over 280 cumulative citations across his top papers, Herkenhoff’s technical leadership has been essential to the success of NASA’s most ambitious rover missions, providing the visual foundation for discoveries about Mars’ past habitability.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) Investigation

   229 citations · 2012
2. 2
   Curiosity’s robotic arm-mounted Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI): Characterization and calibration status

   28 citations · 2015
3. 3
   Optical designs for the Mars '03 rover cameras

   23 citations · 2001
4. 4
   Operation and Performance of the Mars Exploration Rover Imaging System on the Martian Surface

   5 citations · 2006
5. 5
   Supplement (.zip file to download) to PRE-PRINT Edgett et al. - Curiosity’s robotic arm-mounted Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI): Characterization and calibration status

   2 citations · 2015

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links